- Must visit
The Loch Ness Centre
Modern visitor center exploring Loch Ness history, geology, and monster legends through immersive exhibitions in Drumnadrochit.
Cheapest price
$91
Average price
$102
Fastest journey
3 h 29 m
Average duration
3 h 40 m
Trains per day
11
Distance
173 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Edinburgh to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Edinburgh to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness will cost around $102 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $91.
Of the 11 trains that leave Edinburgh for Drumnadrochit Loch Ness on Wed, Aug 12, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 12 the direct trains cover the 173 km distance in an average of 3 h 40 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 29 m .
On Wed, Aug 12 the slowest trains will take 3 h 54 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
L87274
L87695 · C14684
L87682 · C14694
C14678
L87668 · C14680
C14678
L87274
L87271
L87668 · C14680
L87682 · C14694Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $11. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 36m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $11, and a flight costs an average of $185.
Distance: 107 miles (173 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$72 Average price | $18 Average price Cheapest | $438 Average price | $106 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 6m Average total duration Fastest 3h 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 27m Average total duration 3h 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 50m Average total duration 5h 50m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 37m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Edinburgh to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness:
A bus is $53 (€44) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness costing on average $72 (€58).
A bus is $419 (€341) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Edinburgh to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness costing on average $438 (€356).
Other travel options to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 57m.
Flight takes on average 5h 50m.
The journey is about 1m faster (3h 36m by train vs 3h 37m by car) and roughly $34 (€28) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($72 (€58) vs $106 (€86)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Scotrail, London North Eastern Railway.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Edinburgh to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness trains for tomorrow, Wednesday, August 12. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C14678 · W69108 | 8:38 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h12 | 1:50 PM Beauly station (BEL) | 1 transfer | |
C14678 | 8:38 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 3h29 | 12:07 PM Inverness station (INV) | 0 transfersDirect | |
L87668 · C14680 · W69108 | 9:39 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h11 | 1:50 PM Beauly station (BEL) | 2 transfers | |
L87668 · C14680 | 9:39 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 3h46 | 1:25 PM Inverness station (INV) | 1 transfer | |
L87271 · W69074 | 10:33 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h32 | 3:05 PM Beauly station (BEL) | 1 transfer | |
L87271 | 10:33 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 3h43 | 2:16 PM Inverness station (INV) | 0 transfersDirect | |
L87682 · C14694 | 11:35 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 3h54 | 3:29 PM Inverness station (INV) | 1 transfer | |
L87274 | 1:32 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 3h30 | 5:02 PM Inverness station (INV) | 0 transfersDirect | |
L87274 · W69078 | 1:32 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 3h55 | 5:27 PM Beauly station (BEL) | 1 transfer | |
L87695 · C14684 | 1:37 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h49 | 6:26 PM Inverness station (INV) | 1 transfer | |
L87695 · C14684 · C15079 | 1:37 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h09 | 6:46 PM Beauly station (BEL) | 2 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Edinburgh to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness run on average 15 times per day, taking around 3h 36m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $29 (€23) but you can travel from only $11 (€9) by bus.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:54, the last at 20:22. The fastest train covers the 107 miles (173 km) distance in 3h 28m.
Distance 107 miles (173 km) |
Average train duration 3h 36m |
Cheapest ticket price $29 (€23) |
Trains per day 15 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 3h 28m |
First train 4:54 AM |
Last train 8:22 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Drumnadrochit Loch Ness — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Drumnadrochit Loch Ness trip today.
Modern visitor center exploring Loch Ness history, geology, and monster legends through immersive exhibitions in Drumnadrochit.
Interactive military museum covering the 1745 Jacobite campaign and the Battle of Culloden near Inverness.
Hands-on local museum on Highland life and Jacobite history with interactive exhibits in nearby Fort Augustus.
A tranquil glen west of Drumnadrochit with walking routes, wildlife, and a rewarding sense of Highland remoteness.
A scenic lochside stop with iconic Urquhart Castle views, ideal for photos and a quick introduction to Loch Ness.
Popular forest walk above Drumnadrochit with a hilltop viewpoint and excellent panoramas over Loch Ness and Glen Urquhart.
A Highland staple of sheep offal, oats and spices cooked in a casing. It is Scotland's national dish and widely served in pubs around Loch Ness.
Smoked salmon from Scottish waters, prized for its clean flavour and traditional curing. Common on breakfast menus and as a starter in the Highlands.
A thick soup of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions. It is a comforting northern Scottish dish often found on traditional menus.
Popular casual stop for breakfast, lunches and baking. Known for soups, sandwiches, cakes and coffee in a friendly village cafe setting.
Traditional Highland inn in Lewiston known for hearty Scottish pub food, local ales and a relaxed village atmosphere near Loch Ness.
Established hotel restaurant serving refined Scottish dishes with local produce in a quieter, more polished setting close to Urquhart Castle.
Moderate for the Highlands: lodging and tours raise costs, while casual dining is reasonable. Public transport is limited, so car hire or taxis can add to daily spend.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is fine if service is not included. Round up for taxis, and small change is enough in cafes.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Drumnadrochit Loch Ness, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Edinburgh to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness trains use the Edinburgh Waverley to Inverness station pair. Use this guide to compare Edinburgh and Drumnadrochit Loch Ness train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Edinburgh Waverley has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Bagel Factory, Burger King, Caffè Nero, Costa Coffee, JD Wetherspoon, The Pasty Shop, The Beer House, M&S, Pret a Manger
Free public Wi-Fi available. ATMs are there are a few ATM machines around the station.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 05:00 - 23:59, Sun: 07:00 - 23:59. Information desks are information booths are located on the concourse. .
Luggage storage is you can leave luggage at Excessive Baggage Company on Platform 2. . Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Edinburgh Waverley: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Edinburgh Waverley: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh Waverley: Entrances are step free. Station is equipped with an elevator. Staffed with guide communicators for the deaf. Tactile warning strips are on the platform edges for the blind.
Nearby hotels include Old Waverley Hotel, Jurys Inn Edinburgh, The Scotsman Hotel.
Haymarket is 1 km from Edinburgh city centre. Public transport options include:
Haymarket has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Haymarket.
Wi-Fi is available at Haymarket. ATMs are available at Haymarket.
Ticket office support is available at Haymarket. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing), Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Haymarket: Parking, WC.
Available at Haymarket: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Haymarket: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to all platforms. The Passenger Assist meeting point is at the automatic ticket gates Blue Badge parking bays: 2, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Edinburgh Gateway is 7 km from Edinburgh city centre. Public transport options include:
Edinburgh Gateway has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Edinburgh Gateway.
Wi-Fi is available at Edinburgh Gateway.
Ticket office support is available at Edinburgh Gateway. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing), Passenger Information Systems: Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Edinburgh Gateway: Parking, WC.
Available at Edinburgh Gateway: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh Gateway: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to both platforms. The Passenger Assist meeting point is at the Ticket Office Blue Badge parking bays: 4, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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